Bringing Science and Learning Together.

To help us shape a future for wildlife and people, we’re creating the Taronga Institute of Science & Learning, the heart of which is a world-class facility built right here in Taronga Zoo Sydney.

Taronga is home to the largest Zoo-based conservation science team in Australia and has been running formal education programs for more than 40 years. Now, students from preschool to PhD will be able to study, explore and be inspired by our growing team of scientists, researchers and wildlife field staff as they pioneer solutions to save species from the brink of extinction.

Through the Taronga Institute, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, we have the opportunity to shape the mindset of the next generation of conservationists and inspire them to action.

Commitment to education

The Taronga Institute, together with the Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo sites, will 'bring science to life' and demonstrate stronger alignment between school education programs offered and the Australian and NSW curriculums.

Inspiring uptake of STEM subjects

Taronga’s aim is to inspire and educate the next generation of conservation scientists. The Taronga Institute will support the essential need for contextual authentic STEM learning and, together with the wider Zoo sites, will provide authentic, interactive learning opportunities in an environment of working science. The co-location of teaching facilities and research labs will create tangible links between theory and practice.

Educating for our future

Education programs must inspire students and demonstrate clear links between classroom learning and outcomes to provide students with the skills, attitudes and knowledge required to contribute to conservation.

Immersive Habitat Classrooms

These multisensory spaces will be the first of their kind in the world and will be themed around rainforest, desert and woodland habitats. They will be a blend of living animal habitat and classroom, providing authentic learning experiences that align with curriculum priority areas.

Digital teaching lab

A digital teaching lab will provide opportunities for rural and regional students to connect with Taronga’s learning programs and Taronga science.

Centre for scientific excellence

Within the Taronga Institute there will be purpose built laboratories, including a multi-disciplinary research laboratory, teaching laboratory and cyroreserve. These facilities will increase Taronga’s research capabilities and enable increased engagement and collaboration with universities globally to address key conservation issues.